If you’re looking for the best roach killer, you should consider each product’s effectiveness, lasting strength, as well as the level of toxicity. Cockroaches can be one of the trickiest pests to manage, so choosing a product that is proven to be effective but safe for you is key.
Below I’ve compiled a list of some of the best products on the market based on user reviews and my own research and experience (I’m not a fan of roaches). My top recommendations are listed first. If you want to understand more detail about the options and the differences between products, check out the guide below with even more detailed tips about how to kill cockroaches safely.
Most insects don’t really bother me, but it’s cockroaches that I really can’t stand. Going to war with them can be rather annoying since these little creatures can invade any room of your house. And that’s when a good roach killer comes in handy.
These pests breed quickly and thus can be difficult to destroy. Given the tenacity of your attackers, the best roach killer needs to effectively fight these small critters and keep on working so they don’t return. I’ve done the hunting for you and found the most effective and expert-approved roach combat weapons.
Some of the roach control solutions on this list are traps that kill cockroaches on contact. Others let roaches carry chemicals back to their nests, spreading them around. There are also convenient sprays, which I personally prefer. But whichever type of roach killer you choose, it’s important to follow the safety precautions.
Keep in mind: It’s always a good idea to keep a good roach killer or any pest control solution on hand, whether there is a roach invasion in your home or you simply want to be prepared for an emergency.
My Top Picks
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Multipurpose  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Roach Bait  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Raid Multi Insect Killer  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Raid Roach Killer  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Trap With Adhesive  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best for Small Roaches  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
The Best Roach Killers, Reviewed!
There are so many products available on the market. However, it gets too overwhelming to find the best roach killer. Since roaches are so resilient, you may have to extend your approach and have a combination of these roach killers.
Advion 383920 German Roach Pest Control – Best Overall
When you have a major infestation, you may not be able to locate the nest. If this happens frequently, a spreadable gel such as the Advion 383920 German Roach Pest Control might be ideal. This gel comes in four 30 grams tubes that can wipe out roaches in no time.
You may rub it into any suspicious crevices, gaps, or corners. Even if your home is properly sealed, there are nearly always gaps, which is how those pesky roaches sneak in. This gel bait contains the active ingredient indoxacarb. Such a toxin targets the nervous systems of the roaches and spreads around in the nest.
It comes with applicator tips to make spreading the gel a less messy process. This formula is also safe for use in boats, aircraft, and other vehicles. Be careful not to bring it in contact with your pets, though.
Pros:
• Long-lasting efficacy
• Customizable application
• Easily spreadable
Cons:
• Not safe for pets
• Hardens if left for a long period of time
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer – Best Multipurpose
If you’re looking for the best multipurpose roach killing kit, you should check out the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer. This 1-gallon insect spray kills cockroaches, ants, spiders, fleas, ticks, and even scorpions and centipedes.
It’s a very powerful preventive spray with Bifenthrin and Zeta-Cypermethrin that keeps roaches and other six-legged pests away. This perimeter spray could be a fantastic precaution to take both indoors and out. It generates a bug barrier that kills existing bugs and inhibits the rise of new ones for up to a year.
What I like about this is the wand spray that makes the application easier, allowing you to target spots with precision.
When you use this roach killer, you need to wear a protective mask. Then, lightly wet a four-inch circle around your house with the sprayer. Make sure to keep children and pets away from the surface where you sprayed until it’s dry.
The most important thing to remember is to be thorough. Since you’re basically creating a barrier, you need to apply the solution thickly. You can coat windows, garage doors, door frames, or any crack in your house.
Pros:
• Long-term preventative solution
• Suitable for both outdoor and indoor use
• Comes with a spray gun for easy application
Cons:
• Not safe to put if you’re near a body of water as it’s harmful to fish
Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer – Best Roach Bait
The Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer is one of the best roach killers that many homeowners rave about. This roach killer attracts those pesky crawlers with a food-and-water bait combination that works within only a few hours.
But unlike other roach traps on the market, this one kills both roaches and their eggs, allowing you to get to the root of the problem. Since it combines an appealing food supply with the water they require, this bait is particularly attractive to cockroaches.
It comes with six bait stations that you can easily put on a flat surface in roach-infested spots. Although this trap features a viewing window, it is located on the side of the bait station, making it harder to check.
Also, it doesn’t include an adhesive pad, you can only use it on a flat surface. And this might limit your placement choices more than our other options. But overall, I still think it’s a viable solution for pesky roaches under sinks, cabinets, and closets.
Pros:
• Food-and-water bait formula attracts roaches
• Comes with 6 bait stations
• Kills roaches and their eggs
Cons:
• Has viewing windows but on the sides, making it harder to check roaches
• Doesn’t have an adhesive pad
Raid Multi Insect Killer – Best Roach Spray
Raid is one of the most famous brands of insect killers. And their Raid Multi Insect Killer doesn’t disappoint when it comes to mercilessly killing pesky insects. This aerosol spray comes in a 15-ounce can and effectively kills roaches, spiders, and flies.
This roach killer contains d-Phenothrin and Prallethrin. As well as other ingredients to effectively destroy those pesky crawlers. One of the most important precautions while using this is to keep your pets or children out of the treated area. You should also make sure that the area being treated is well ventilated.
What I like about this roach killer is its refreshing orange scent, unlike other foggers with a chemical smell that hurts the nose. So it might double as an air freshener. Some users don’t like the smell though, but it sure does do wonders in keeping roaches and other listed bugs.
Pros:
• Multipurpose; powerfully kill various types of bugs and insects
• Easy to use
• Has fresh orange scent
Cons:
• It takes longer to kill roaches
Raid Roach Killer – Best for Small Infestations
Another roach killer from the same brand, the Raid Roach Killer would be nice to have on hand. It may be the best roach killer for small roach infestations. This 1.5-ounce roach gel is very spreadable, allowing you to precisely apply the product through cracks and crevices to kill both German and American roaches.
Like what many other users think, I consider this roach killer to be an excellent value for the money given that a little bit goes a long way.
One thing to keep in mind is that this roach killer has a drier formula than other roach gels that it may be difficult to squeeze out. But once you get the product out, you can easily spread it across the spots you want to treat.
Pros:
• Comes in a gel formula that’s easy to spread
• A little goes a long way
Cons:
• Formula is a bit on the drier side
Black Flag Roach Motel Insect Trap – Best Trap With Adhesive
Unlike the Hot Shot one, the Black Flag Roach Motel Insect Trap has adhesive to make sure it catches the roaches off-guard once they’re inside the trap. And instead of having to wipe gels after use, this one doesn’t entail a lot of cleaning. Simply pick it up and throw it away after it’s full or too worn to do its job.
This trap is multifunctional as well. It can entice and trap other insects like scorpions, crickets, spiders, and more. I also love that this is pet and children-safe since the active ingredient in this trap is adhesive and not chemical. Which makes it perfect for families with toddlers and dogs.
This pack comes in a pair of two traps. It works by luring in the roaches using its sweet unique concoction. You can even battle smaller rodents with this weapon. Once they make their way into the trap, they’re there forever to suffer. But this might make the trap unusable since the rodents will populate the space inside that is meant for crawling foes.
Pros:
• Odor-free
• Pesticide-free, making it safe even with pets and children around
Cons:
• Traps become tattered with time
• Might become unusable if small rodents get stuck inside
Combat Max Small Roach Bait Station – Best for Small Roaches
Small roaches are even harder to kill since you can’t see them sometimes. They might be hiding under your bed frames and wardrobes and you wouldn’t notice they’re there. You can spray on them, but since they’re small, it’s easier for them to fit through small cracks.
The Combat Max Small Roach Bait Station might be the perfect solution for this problem. This package comes with 18 child-resistant bait stations with efficacy that can last up to 12 months. Simply place them in roach-infested areas and sit back as they kill all day and night.
This bait contains a gel with Fipronil, which kills roaches in a domino effect. Roaches infiltrate the station and eat the bait. Then, they return to the colony with the bait, spread it with other cockroaches, and kill the nest. Other roaches consume the gel and die, causing a chain reaction.
I suggest that you apply them in locations like beneath sinks, behind toilets, and appliances to destroy both visible and invisible pests while also destroying the nest.
Pros:
• Long-term efficacy
• Child-resistant bait stations
• Pet-safe but try to place the traps on places where your pets can’t reach
Cons:
• Not suitable for larger roaches
Things To Consider in Finding the Best Roach Killer
Before you buy a roach killer, there are a few things you need to consider.
Type
Not all roach killers are the same. There are three different types you can choose from, and the roach killer you should get will depend on the severity of the infestation.
Surface Sprays
Sprays offer long-term prevention. You can use them in cracks, waste bins, and shelving, among other places. Such sprays also allow you to precisely target roaches. The way it works is that it damages the roach’s nerve function using synthetic pyrethroids. Which induces paralysis and death.
The Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer sprays an insect-killing substance that adheres to your home’s surfaces. In locations where roaches are prevalent, you can spray small four-inch insecticide barriers.
Cockroach Gels
For homes with small or severe cockroach infestations, they are an excellent treatment choice. Gels like the Advion 383920 German Roach Pest Control and the Raid Roach Killer are applied to cockroach-infested fissures and crevices. As well as other concealed spots in your home where you find cockroaches.
Roaches in those spots are attracted to them. And once consumed, they get poisoned. Although gels are unlikely to damage kids or pets, you should apply them in inaccessible spots in your home for added safety.
Traps and Baits
When you use them with a surface spray, traps and baits provide extended roach control. These roach killers contain indoxacarb. This chemical penetrates the nervous system of insects and inhibits sodium channels. Which will then result in dehydration and death.
The Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer, Black Flag Roach Motel Insect Trap, and Combat Max Small Roach Bait Station are some of the best traps available.
Certain traps keep the roach for eventual disposal. But most models such as the Hot Shot use deadly bait that kills the roaches immediately.
Knock-Down Sprays or Foggers
Comes in an aerosol can, this type of roach killer allows you to spray an insecticide on a wider reach and it settles onto your home’s surfaces. Knock-down sprays include comparable key active chemicals. But they can target and eradicate a single cockroach at a time.
When roaches come in contact with the droplets, they die. Although foggers are inexpensive and simple to use, unlike cockroach gel, they won’t let you target specific locations. The Raid Multi Insect Killer is one of my favorite foggers.
Efficacy Length
The length of efficacy refers to the amount of time a roach killer’s efficacy will last before you need to replace it. This will depend on the amount of product you use and how quickly the active ingredients degrade. In most cases, roach killers have a one to two-year efficacy duration. Others may last as short as about two weeks.
Effectiveness
The most significant component of a roach killer or trap is its effectiveness. All of the products on the list have the most active chemicals to make sure they keep roaches away.
Level of Toxicity
To determine the product’s toxic level, you should always read the label. If the package says “caution,” then it’s moderately toxic. But if it says “poison,” then I recommend that you give it a second thought. This is because even a small mishap can be lethal.
Many roach killers that are safe for children and pets are not as effective. So, you may want to stay away from adhesive sheets. Although less effective, they are safer than standard roach killers.
Ease of Use
The best roach killer should be a hassle to use. It should be as simple as opening a cartridge and putting it in your sink. You can choose what is the most realistic and sensible option for you and your family from my range of selections.
Safety
Safety is the last topic I’ll cover in this section, but it’s very important. Most roach killers use toxic chemicals. So, if you have young children or dogs, you need to figure out some safety measures (more on this later) to prevent inadvertent consumption.
Common Types of Toxicity in Roach Killers
Roach killers are toxic, however, there are many chemicals that will kill roaches without harming pets or humans. Here are some of the most commonly-used chemicals you should be aware of:
Indoxacarb
Indoxacarb has been classified as unlikely to be a carcinogen. It’s a pyrethroid that’s used to keep harmful bacteria from spreading from insects to people and animals. Even so, it has been shown to induce neurotoxicity in mice and rats in various studies. I suggest that you get medical help if you accidentally ingest it.
Cypermethrin
Cypermethrin is a fast-acting neurotoxin in insects that is merely a moderate irritation to humans and animals. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect yourself. You should still avoid skin contact with the product.
Also, certain roach killers contain Cypermethrin with a tiny amount of Bifenthrin, which is toxic to fishes. So make sure not to use them near bodies of water. They should not be allowed to seep into the ocean.
Fipronil
Fipronil, which is also used to treat fleas and ticks on dogs, targets the central nervous system of roaches. And while it is very deadly to rodents, you’ll only get moderate skin irritation if you come in contact with it. If ingested, the health consequences are much more severe, albeit not usually fatal.
Imiprothrin
Imiprothrin is a minor skin and eye irritant. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified the chemical as having a “low order of toxicity” in humans and animals. This chemical is safe for indoor use.
How To Kill Cockroaches: Precautions To Take While Using Roach Killers
Roaches have great endurance for survival, so getting rid of them can be difficult. Chemical solutions have been proved to work and can help you get rid of those annoying roaches. While some chemicals are less harmful to humans, there are safety measures you still need to take.
- Once you apply the roach treatment chemicals, you must leave the treated area.
- If you’re going to use foggers, keep them away from fires and other sources of ignition. And only use or spray foggers in moderation.
- Before applying pesticides, you must follow the safety warnings closely.
- Always keep roach killers out of reach of children and pets.
Depending on the severity of the infestation, you should only apply enough to destroy them.
Best Roach Killer FAQs
Are roach baits only for use indoors or outdoors?
You can use roach traps both indoors and outdoors, however, they provide greater benefits when used indoors. This is due to the fact that it is simpler to locate nests within your home. Which makes it easy to properly put your bait.
Another factor is that many traps and baits are not really waterproof and get damaged by sunlight. If you reside in a place with lots of rain and sunlight, this can be an issue. For best outdoor results, granules are the way to go. They’re larger and can withstand.
What home alternatives can I use aside from roach baits?
Other methods besides roach killers are available. Boric acid is a common chemical found in most supermarkets and hardware shops. It is used to make DIY roach baits.
A paste made from equal parts boric acid, sugar, and water can be used to construct an effective bait. You can apply the paste to regions where your target thrives, and the roaches then transport it back to their nest.
Aside from boric acid, you can mix baking soda, water, and sugar. This option isn’t the best roach killer and just doesn’t kill quickly, but still, it works on a few roaches in your house.
What is the most effective roach killer?
Boric acid is one of the most powerful roach killers when used properly. The chemical is odorless and has minimal toxicity for pets. And, because roaches aren’t attracted to it, they’ll keep going through it until it kills them.
How do you get rid of roaches fast?
It’s always a good idea to prevent them before they infest your home. You can sanitize your house, reduce hiding locations and stagnant water. Also, you need to keep food in sealed containers, use adhesive strips, traps, and baits, boric acid, or liquid solutions.
What do professionals use to kill roaches?
Gel bait pesticides are most commonly used by pest control specialists nowadays. They are popular for managing and destroying roaches. It entails the placing of tiny gel bait beads in regions where cockroaches are likely to reside, migrate, or feed.
Can you ever really get rid of roaches?
This type of treatment may be necessary if the infestation is very persistent or severe. With the proper treatment, you can fully destroy roaches in your house, but they won’t be gone permanently. When you’ve gotten rid of the present infestation, you’ll have to remain on top of things to keep them at bay.
How do you find a roach nest?
Roach nests are most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. Especially behind appliances in cracks and crevices, or beneath furniture. Because roaches enjoy a warm, humid climate, you should first think about such locations. Even more so if they are near a food and a water source.
Do roaches come out more after spraying?
When spraying your house, an infestation can seem to worsen. Roaches will begin to creep throughout your home in greater numbers. But, the presence of more roaches after spraying indicates that the pest control treatment is effective.
Why do I have roaches in my clean house?
It might be due to moisture. Roaches require moisture to thrive, and their quest for water will lead these little creatures into areas of your home, no matter how clean it is. They are attracted to leaky pipes and taps, which is why you find them so commonly in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas.
If you have other bugs in your house, check out these treatment options.
How do you get roaches out of your walls?
You can use sprays. Using a lethal and strong anti-roach sprayer like Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer in the cracks of the walls will kill the roaches. This roach killer destroys roaches instantly as they come into touch with it.
What are German roaches?
The German cockroach is a tiny roach with a body length of 1.1 to 1.6 cm. German roaches are infamous for being tough to rid. They reproduce and spread at breakneck speed, surviving on very little and refusing to give up without a struggle.
Conclusion
My favorite is the Advion 383920 German Roach Pest Control because it contains one powerful ingredient that mercilessly kills roaches. The gel formula is easily spreadable through surfaces and hidden spots. Plus, the package comes in four tubes with easy applicators.
If you’re looking to have an effective all-around pest control solution, then the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer could be ideal to use for your home. This jug of powerful roach killer is a long-term preventative solution that is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. It comes with a spray gun for easy and precise application.
Of course, any on the list work great – it all comes down to which method of elimination you want to take.
Say Goodbye to Those Pesky Roaches!
There are a lot of roach killers and pest control products on the market, but not all of them have genuine testimonials about how well they work. It’s been my pleasure to help you in your quest for the best roach killer, since I, too, despise those sneaky crawlies!
Don’t forget to check out the latest discounts and prices on these fantastic rock killers I listed above so you can wave goodbye to those pesky roaches! Good luck!
